Messages - Cindy

Speaking of America's birth and the like ... here it is the horoscope of the US lol

In the horoscope of the United States, Pluto, as it moves through Sagittarius, is crossing the Ascendant of the chart, reflecting a profound transformation on many levels. This aspect has never occurred before in America's history, and therefore it is of the greatest importance. Most likely to be affected is the country's own image of itself, reflected not only in how America presents itself to other nations, but in the myths, dreams, ideals and social expectations which are expressed at home.

The independent, freedom-loving, expansive, truth-seeking qualities of Sagittarius are evident in the American myth, style, and self-image, and it is this particular image which is likely to be transformed over the time of the Millennium and afterward. There may be some loss of naivety, and some serious questioning of previously held moral and religious assumptions; but at the same time there is also likely to be an increased desire to understand human motivation, and a strong wish to eradicate all those negative internal influences which thwart human rights and dampen hope. This could mean an increase of religious intensity in some quarters. Religious, legal and moral issues are likely to be the source of many conflicts and many creative resolutions over this time.

The long transit of Pluto is likely to be reflected in much soul-searching and moral and religious questioning, some of it perhaps excessive, but all of it underpinned by a profound collective need to build sounder spiritual and ethical foundations. The subtle influence of Neptune moving through Aquarius could help this process to achieve a creative result because it may remind Americans of their unity with other peoples and other nations, not least through shared material and financial resources; and this could help to offset any intolerance set in motion by Pluto's intense quest for truth.

Likewise Uranus in Aquarius and Pisces, passing over the Moon in the American chart, may awaken public consciousness of the wider world, and stimulate a desire for greater tolerance and humanitarian concern as well as inspiring new technological and scientific discoveries.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think this was a joke. I mean, the last "talisman" was the seal from $$. I think it's a joke, like, bribe your prof or something.

"The Great Seal was first used on the reverse of the one-dollar Federal Reserve note in 1935. The Department of State is the official keeper of the Seal. They believe that the most accurate explanation of a pyramid on the Great Seal is that it symbolizes strength and durability. The unfinished pyramid means that the United States will always grow, improve and build. In addition, the "All-Seeing Eye" located above the pyramid suggests the importance of divine guidance in favor of the American cause.

The inscription ANNUIT COEPTIS translates as "He (God) has favored our undertakings," and refers to the many instances of Divine Providence during our Government's formation. In addition, the inscription NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM translates as "A new order of the ages," and signifies a new American era."

In the late 18th century, Adam Weishaupt was a professor at the University of Ingolstadt in Bavaria. He believed in the abolition of both government and organized religion, so much so that on May 1, 1776 he started a little social club to that end. The original group began with five members and was called The Order of Perfectibilists. Later it was renamed the Order of the Illuminati, and this enterprise spread throughout central Europe.

From its inception, the first rule of the Illuminati was DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE ILLUMINATI. Because of its controversial aims, the club had to keep its agenda and even its existence a strict secret. In written correspondence, members used a code to refer to dates, locations, and individual members. Weishaupt's codename was "Spartacus."

Professor Weishaupt joined a German strain of Freemasonry in 1777, being initiated in Munich. He immediately began to poach from the ranks of his fellow Masons to fill out his own clandestine group. This recruitment continued unabated until he was finally caught and expelled from the Freemasons. Eventually, somebody spilled the beans about Weishaupt's project and the ideals to which it was dedicated. All of a sudden, he become one of the most hated men in Europe. He had simultaneously managed to rile both church and state. The end result was a crackdown on secret societies across the board. In June 1784, both the Masons and the Illuminati were declared illegal by the King of Bavaria. Weishaupt fled to Gotha, a city in eastern Germany, to escape arrest. There he lived out the rest of his days.

People tend to get uptight when they are forced to look at the back of a dollar bill. And they have good reason to. There it is on the left -- that godd**mned pyramid with the freaky eyeball. And what the f**ck is that at the bottom? NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM. Obviously some kind of incantation. According to the official explanation, the phrase is Latin for "a new order of the ages." The designer of the Great Seal, Charles Thomson, claimed that the "new order" he was referring to was that of the American republic. The year on the pyramid is 1776, which is the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

All right, fine. But what about that eyeball? That thing is definitely occult. Nothing says "Big Brother" quite like a hovering eyeball.

Thomson explained away that one by claiming the eyeball belonged to God (or "Providence," as he put it), and that the phrase ANNUIT COEPTIS means "it has favored our undertakings." Taken together, they are intended to communicate the idea that God is rooting for America.

As a midwestern white girl, even I know better than to think that hip hop takes minimal talent. Sure, there's utter crap out there. But there's some sh*t that is downright awe-inspiring. I can't name names, as I'm barely even a dilettante, but I'm sure there are people around here who could.

I appreciate the lyrical poetry & have heard some good stuff. But...

but you assume that what you hear on the radio represents the essence of hip hop, or you're content to assert an opinion out of ignorance or you're too lazy to dig deeper. A good portion of popular music in any genre doesn't take too much genre (you don't hear anyone calling Brittany or whoever has taken her place a musical genius), but most people don't say that entire genre doesn't take talent. This quote from Talib Kweli's blog sums up the difference between the popular artist and the 'real' artist:

I donít make music for the fans. I never have, and god willing I never will. Do I have your attention? Are you offended? Do you understand? Lemme explainÖ. The true music fan respects the artist who is honest with him or herself. The art is the expression..if Iím only expressing things that are of value to you, than Iím not being a true artist. Once I start to do it for the sake of the fans, then I will really fall off and become irrelevant. I will become transparent.. instead of the complaint being, ďit doesnít sound like black starĒ, it will be, ďhe hasnít grown since black star.Ē The honest artist will grow and challenge his audience to follow where he is going, and not the other way around. People who love Be shitted on Electric Circus, but they fail to realize Common had to make Electric Circus to get to Be. It is a process that is easy to criticize if youíve never had to do it. Itís not like Electric was for him and Be was for the audience. They were both made for him. Think about this before you say Iím supposed to make music for the fans. Uhh, no, Iím not. You hear artist who make music for the fans all the time in the media. If someone asks them, why do you only talk about sex violence drugs and jewelry, their stock reply is ďIím making music for the fans, Iím giving people what they want.Ē You look at some of their sales and think, hey maybe theyíre right. Then you come to your senses and be like @#!* that! Iím not that dude. I make music for me, and so do my favorite artists.

See, I don't listen to the radio, don't watch MTV, etc. I worked at a club for 2 years, have friends who DJ & spin records, friends who are into underground hip hop, friends who play in rock & roll bands, harcore and metal bands, indie rock bands. Just like any musical genre, what is on the radio or tv is not a true representation. But I find that even i underground hip hop & rap, most of it is talenless drivel, as is a lot of rock music. But at least the rock musicians are creating music on an instrument.

As a midwestern white girl, even I know better than to think that hip hop takes minimal talent. Sure, there's utter crap out there. But there's some sh*t that is downright awe-inspiring. I can't name names, as I'm barely even a dilettante, but I'm sure there are people around here who could.

While in my UG (pre-law/poli-sci major) we read A Civil Action, which many people seem to like on this thread. Another great book was Getting to Yes, a book on negotiations. It had a lot of tips for how to speak & discuss anything.

Nothing specific. I like listening to the perspective of others. One can learn a lot from the experiences of others (even if they've experienced the same thing (it's all about perspective)).

well, i'm also an atheist, so my perspective on death is that it's the end. There is nothing afterward, your body returns to the elements that it is made of and is recycled back into the earth. So you had better make the most of the life you have now.